The Middle School has had a busy and exciting start to the year! We began with Orientation Morning for all new students and our Year 7 girls. The day was full of energy, curiosity, and plenty of waves through my office windows as the girls explored the school and found their new classrooms.
The Year 7 Parent Coffee Morning and the P&F Drinks provided wonderful opportunities for parents to meet staff and connect with each other. It was a pleasure to welcome so many new families to our community.
Our students from Year 6 to Year 12 explored ways to get involved in school life at the inaugural Student Experience Expo. Memorial Lawns were buzzing with excitement as girls discovered the many clubs, committees, music, and sport opportunities on offer this year.
Safety and responsibility remain a key focus, and SAPOL joined us for annual Traffic Duty Training. This ensures students understand how to complete their duties safely and confidently. This term, Year 10s are rostered on, while the remaining duties throughout the year will be undertaken by Middle School girls. Rosters are coordinated during Form with support from Form Teachers.
The Year 8s participated in the Burn Bright program, which explored social and emotional skills, interpersonal awareness, building respectful relationships, effective communication, problem-solving, and navigating unkind behaviours in social settings.
At this week’s Middle School SRC Assembly, our new leaders were presented with their badges. They have since met with staff and Year 12 mentors to plan their initiatives and goals for the year. Congratulations to our 2025 Middle School Leaders:
- President: Georgia Gibson
- Vice President: Amelia Yip
- Secretary: Leyla Antonis
- Library Representatives: Emma Herbert, Isabelle Morgan
- Music Representatives: Bonnie Cabot, Jade Sammut
- Round Square Representatives: Zumurod Shibeeb, Gabrielle Sun
- Sport Representatives: Poppy Detmold Cox, Angelique Whittaker
- Student Foundation Representatives: Victoria Henderson, Pranavi Meruga
- Visual Arts Representatives: Margot Colby, Serena Yao
At the assembly, I spoke about Steven Bradbury, Australia’s first Winter Olympic Gold Medallist in 2002. While often celebrated as an underdog story, Bradbury’s success is also a reminder to make the most of the opportunities that come your way. Lindsey Vonn’s recent reflection on taking risks, dreaming, loving, jumping, and sometimes falling, has resonated with me this week. School is a place where every girl is encouraged to take those leaps, whether starting a new school, learning a new language, nominating for a Swimming Carnival event, or preparing for camp.
Our compulsory Year 7 Camp provides an important opportunity for girls to build friendships within their House groups and strengthen connections with House Teachers. The Outdoor Education Team has run preparatory sessions at school this week to help students feel ready and confident. Each camp experience builds toward our three-week Year 9 REALISE program at Crawford, where students continue to be encouraged to challenge themselves, guided by the principle of “Challenge by Choice.” I encourage all girls to discuss any concerns with their Form Teacher, Head of House, or Outdoor Education staff to ensure a positive and rewarding experience.
Middle School is a place where students are supported, challenged, and empowered. Through these opportunities, girls develop resilience, confidence, and skills they can carry forward throughout the year and beyond.
